School Libraries: Providing Access to Student Patrons with Special Needs

Access Service means removing barriers to library services for people with disabilities.

U.S. Cons. am. 1. (n.d.) : "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."


Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 http://www.ada.gov/pubs/ada.htm



The American Library Association. (1996, Jan. 24). Library Bill of Rights. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from American Library Association; http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/of/statementspols/statementsif/librarybillrights.cfm




American Library Association. (2001, Jan. 16). Library Issues for People with Disabilities. (A.L.A.) Retrieved Oct. 22, 2009, from ASCLA: Assocation of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/ascla/asclaissues/libraryservices.cfm

There are many possibilities:

Assistive technology and equipment
Books in alternative formats for people with vision impairments: large print, audio books, braile
Delivering books to readers who cannot visit a local library
Text to speech software programs

Tool Kits:!

ASCLA: The Association of Specialized and cooperative Library Agencies. (2009). Library Accessibility-What You Need to Know. (M. Delatte, Editor) Retrieved Oct. 21, 2009, from ASCLA: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/ascla/asclaprotools/accessibilitytipsheets/default.cfm.

Web Casts:

Various Speakers. (17 Oct. 2007). Library Accessibility. (T.L. Congress, Producer) Retrieved 21 Oct, 2009, from the Library of congress Webcasts Home: http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=4158